Let us pray…Mighty King, whose inheritance is not of this world, inspire in us the humility and benevolent charity of Elizabeth of Hungary. She scorned her bejeweled crown with thoughts of the thorned one her Savior donned for her sake and ours, that we too, might live a life of sacrifice, pleasing in Your sight and worthy of the Name of Your Son, Christ Jesus, who with the Holy Spirit reigns with You forever in the everlasting kingdom. Amen.
Elizabeth of Hungary, born in Pressburg, Hungary, in 1207, was the daughter of King Andrew II and his wife Gertrude. Given in an arranged political marriage, she became wife of Louis of Thuringia (Germany) at age 14.Her spirit of Christian generosity and charity pervaded the home she established for her husband and three children in the Wartburg Castle at Eisenach. Their abode was known for hospitality and family love. Elizabeth often supervised the care of the sick and needy, even giving up her bed to a leper at one time. Widowed at age 20, she arranged for her children’s well-being and entered into life as a nun in the Order of Saint Francis. Her self-denial led to failing health and an early death in 1231 at the age of 24. Remembered for her self-sacrificing ways, Elizabeth is commemorated through the many hospitals named for her around the world. (From The Treasury of Daily Prayer, Concordia Publishing House)
The words hospice, hospital and hospitality are all related. Their root word is “hospes”, that is host. All three of these related words have to do with being a host. When I was a hospice chaplain, I am a guest in many homes of a dying family member and his family were my host. A hospital, the host, welcomes guests…quite a different understanding than patients! Many a hospital guest will note the care of especially the nursing staff, as do hospice patients, because they are welcomed and taken care of. Hospitality is a requirement of a pastor and a bishop: to welcome friends and strangers to his home as guests. It is hard work to be a host: food, linen and beds, wounds of body and soul. The host may feel tired and diminished but the guest is replenished.
It is easy to say that government should take care of the refugee, the sick or the foreigner and pat oneself on the back that I am caring! It’s another thing to actually love your neighbor, one to one, as Christ has served us and serves us daily. Elizabeth of Hungary knew that. She was royal as a faithful wife and mother and as one who served the poor.
For instance, Luther and his wife and family were quite hospitable in opening their home to all sorts of people. The Luthers would have at a given moment, 30 -40 guests at table: seminarians, refugees from religious persecution, visiting professors and pastors. It says in the Bible a pastor is be hospitable (1 Timothy 3: 2 ). All Christians are encouraged and commanded to show hospitality: Romans 12: 13.
Elizabeth of Hungary, and Martin Luther teach us in word and deed the Biblical understanding of hospitality and it is hands on, not hands off letting someone else doing it, especially government! After all, our salvation was and is “hands on”, nail-imprinted Hands.
Reflection by Dr. Martin Luther:
This is … an outstanding praise of hospitality, in order that we may be sure that God Himself is in our home, is being fed at our house, is lying down and resting as often as some pious brother in exile because of the Gospel comes to us and is received hospitably by us. This is called brotherly love or Christian charity; it is greater than that general kindness which is extended even to strangers and enemies when they are in need of our aid…. For the accounts of the friendships of the Gentiles, like those of Theseus and Hercules, of Pylades and Orestes, are nothing in comparison with the brotherhood in the church; its bond is an association with God so close that the Son of God says that whatever is done to the least of His is done to Himself. Therefore their hearts go out without hypocrisy to the needs of their neighbor, and nothing is either so costly or so difficult that a Christian does not undertake it for the sake of the brethren, … But if anyone earnestly believed that he is receiving the Lord Himself when he receives a poor brother, there would be no need for such anxious, zealous, and solicitous exhortations to do works of love. Our coffers, storeroom, and compassion would be open at once for the benefit of the brethren. There would be no ill will, and together with godly Abraham we would run to meet the wretched people, invite them into our homes, and seize upon this honor and distinction ahead of others and say: “O Lord Jesus, come to me; enjoy my bread, wine, silver, and gold. How well it has been invested by me when I invest it in You!
Concordia and Koinonia 
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